Isometric contraction exerciser having handles at each end with handgrips shaped to the fingers



April 21, 1964 w. M. LAURO 3,129,940

ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION EXERCISER HAVING HANDLES AT EACH END WITH HANDGRIPS SHAPED TO THE FINGERS INVTOR. VWLL/AM Min uxzo.

Filed Jan. 23, 1962 United States Patent 3,129,940 ISOMETRIC CQN'IRACTIQN EXERCISER HAVING HANDLES AT EACH END WITH HANDGS SHAPED TO THE FINGERS William M. Laura, 1823 E. 33rd St, Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Jan. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 168,125 1 Claim. ((31. 27279) This invention relates to exercising devices and more particularly to such devices as are generally utilized in gymnastics or calisthenics by two persons, and which enables them to exert counter muscular effort.

This invention is adapted to provide a device for improving physical fitness, whether for pleasure or as medical therapy, and which is simple, economical in construction and efficient in operation due to the construction and arrangement of the elements thereof.

Heretofore, exercisers have been proposed wherein hand grips have been separated by a series of elongated elastic elements, for example; but these exercisers are for use generally by an individual and are relatively limited in application. Thus, I have conceived an exerciser which, because of its adaptability for use by two persons may be used to perform a relatively great variety of exercises of simultaneous benefit to both participants utilizing same.

Essentially, my exerciser is characterized by an elon gated flexible connecting cable, with pivotally connected handle bars disposed at each end, this cable being centrally located on the handle bars. The pivotal connection includes a loop means provided at each end of the cable, said loop means mounted in circumferential slots located in collars centrally disposed on the handle bars.

There has thus been outline rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claim appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claim be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawing; forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a typical application drawing of the present invention, illustrating the use thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one end of the flexible cable and the handle bar;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3 and showing a method of connecting the flexible cable to the handle bars; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and showing a method of securing a loop at the extremity of the flexible cable.

Referring to the drawing in further detail FIG. 1 shows this exerciser comprising an elongated flexible connecting cable 1 and the two handle bars 2. The figure shows two participants operating the device in a typical pull-resist motion. The preferred operation is by two participants, however, it may be utilized individually as by placing one handle bar under the feet and pulling on the other by means of the hands. Two persons may also utilize this device by standing side by side facing in the same direction and holding the handle bars in a vertical position,

3,129,940 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 while one person pulls and the other resists. The effort in this case can be increased in proportion to the distance to which the arms are outstretched from the body. Numerous persons could participate by forming teams, each sitting or standing in a row gripping extended handle bars, and exerting counter muscular effort in unison.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the manner in which the elongated flexible connecting cable 1 may be attached to the handle bars 2. It must be understood that any suitable elongated flexible connecting means may be employed, including one or more cables manufactured from any suitable material such as rope or wire. At the extremity of said cable is provided a loop 3. This loop may be a separate piece attached in any suitable manner such as splicing or welding, or by the preferred embodiment the loop may be formed by doubling back the end of the cable 1 and securing it to itself by clamping means.

It must be borne in mind that the handle bar 2 is illustrated as a straight bar because this is the preferred form, however, it may assume other contours such as semicircular, as desired.

Centrally located on the handle bar is a collar 4. This collar is firmly aifixed in any suitable manner to the handle bar 2. The collar contains a circumferential slot 5 of suitable width and depth to hold the aforementioned loop 3. Thus, the handle bar 2 is free to rotate, but the loop 3 is restrained from axial movement by the circumferential slot 5. Located at the extremities of the handle bar are a pair of standard commercial hand grips 6, which may be of the same basic design as are utilized on the handle bars of bicycles or motorcycles. They are of a general shape and diameter so as to afford a comfortable grip by the hand.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show in detail the preferred method of forming the aforementioned loop 3. The extremity of the elongated flexible cable 1 is doubled back and clamped to itself by means of a threaded U bolt 7, formed plate 8, and nuts 9. The formed plate 8 may take various shapes such as a flat plate With two holes bored therein so as to receive the U bolt 7, or it may be channel shaped with a flanged bottom contour, the free end of the cable is spliced to the connecting cable as at 10, FIG. 4.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention is herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, reference should accordingly be had to the appended claim in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

In an exerciser of the class described, the combination comprising an elongated flexible inelastic connecting cable, handle bars transversely disposed at the extremities of said cable, a collar mounted centrally on each of said handle bars, a circumferential slot in said collar, a loop provided by doubling back and clamping the end of said cable, the free end of said cable being spliced to the main portion thereof, said loop mounted in said slot to form a pivotal connection, individual hand grips mounted on the extremities of said handle bars respectively, each of said hand grips being provided with a plurality of finger positioning grooves spaced one from the other a distance substantially equal to the finger spacing of a human hand.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 61,702 Barnett Feb. 5, 1867 1,338,062 Wolfe Apr. 27, 1920 2,937,023 Seymour et a1 May 17, 1960 3,068,001 Portman Dec. 11, 1962 3,068,002 Balne Dec. 11, 1962 3,068,003 Portman et a1 Dec. 11, 1962 

